Switch for trolley-wires.



Patented Aug. 29,'-|sa9.

A. F. HUMPHREY. SWITCH FOB TRULLEY WIRES.

(Application filed Nov. 10, 1898.)

No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT @nmcn.

ALEXANDER F. HUMPHREY, OF ALLEGHENY, PENNSYLVANIA.

SWITCH FOR TROLLEY-WIRES.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent N0. 632,052, dated August 29, 1899.

Application filed November 10, 1898. Serial No- 696,046. (No model.)

To all 1071 0121, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER F. I-IUMPH- REY, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Allegheny, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, haverinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Switches for Trolley-Vires, of which the following is a specification, reference being bad therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in trolley-switches.

My invention is particularly adapted for use on overhead trolley-wires; and the object thereof is to construct a switch of this character which will readily adjust or carry the trolley-wheel from one wire to the other.

My invention further consists in constructing a switch of this character which is operated by the trolley moving in any but a straight direction.

My invention finally consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully. described, and particularly pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In describing the invention in detail reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, wherein like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views thereof, and in which- Figure 1 is a perspective View of my improved switch as attached to a trolley-wire. Fig. 2 is an inverted perspective view thereof. Fig. 3 is a topplan view thereof. Fig. 4. is an underneath plan view of my improved switch. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view on the line a: m, Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is an inverted perspective view of the wedge-shaped fasteningblock for the wires.

Referring to the drawings by reference-numerals, 1 indicates a supporting-plate for the several parts of myimproved switch, the same being formed integral therewith, and this plate is secured in position by means of the supporting-wires 2 3, which are connected to both sides thereof, as at 4.

5 5 5" indicate the rails of the switch; The rail 5 of the switch has pivotally connected to its inner end the switch-tongue 6, as at 7, which is of such a length that the same will never touch the inner ends of the rails 5'5, as shown in full and dotted lines in Fig. 4.

'ing the wires 14: 15 in position.

The upper end of the switch-tongue 6 has formed integral therewith the lug or projection 8, which operates in the groove 9, formed in the underneath face of the plate 1. This projection Sis adapted to limit the movement of the switch-tongue 6, together with the stops 10, which are arranged on either side thereof, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

11 and 12 indicate a pair of guides formed integral with the underneath face of the plate 1 on either side of the switch-tongue 6.

The rails 5 5 5 are adapted to project above the upper edge of the plate 1 by making the free or extending ends thereof somewhat wider than the inner ends of the rail, as shown at 13 in Fig. 2. This larger portion of the rails is adaptedto be grooved to allow of the passing of the main wire 14 and the connecting-wire 15 therethrough. It will also be noted that the outer ends of the rails are tapered. I

16 and 17 indicate a pair of guides formed integral with the upper face of the plate 1 and are adapted to have operating between them a wedge-shaped fastening-block 18 for keep- These guides have projections or extensions 18 19 formed on their upper edge, which are bent at right angles and form the means for holding the wedge-shaped fastening-block 18 in position. The guides are arranged substantially V- shaped, as shown, to conform to the shape of the fastening-block.

20 is a V-shaped flange arranged on the upper face of the plate 1 and acts as a stop to arrest the backward movement of the wedgeshaped fastening-block. 21 22 are a pair of grooves arranged in the underneath face of the Wedge-shaped fastening-block 18, which are adapted to receive the wires 14 15 and assist in holding them in the desired position.

The switch is adapted to be secured to the current-supply wire at a point where a side or switch line intersects the main line and is adapted to transfer or shift the trolley-wheel from the main line onto the side or switch line, or vice versa, as the case may be, and it is adapted to accomplish the switching of the trolley-wheel from one line to the other without danger of the trolley-wheel becoming disconnected from thecurrent-supply wire at the switch. To illustrate, we will assume that the car is traveling upon the main track toward the rail 5 and the switchtongue (3 is in the position shown in Fig. '2. The trolley-Wheel will then continue on the main current-supply wire and onto rail 5. If, however, the switch-tongue should be turned so as to conduct the trolley-wheel onto the rail 5", the continuation of the car upon the straight track will cause the trolley-Wheel to move the switch-tongue into alinement with the rails 5 and 5, continuing the trolley-wheel on the current Wire 14.. If, however, the switch-tongue should be in this latter position and it is desired to pass the trolley- Wheel from rail 5 onto rail 5", the switching or turning oft of the car from the main track to the branch or side track causes the trolley wheel to operate the tongue 6 when it comes in engagement therewith, so as to aline the rails 5 and 5 and conducting the trolleywheel onto said rail 5 without interruption during its travel.

It is thought that no further explanation is necessary, owing to the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters, Patent, is-

1. In a trolley-switch, a supporting-plate, a series of rails formed integral with the underneath face of said plate, a switch-tongue pivotally connected to one of said rails, a pair of guides formed integral with the upper face of said plate and adapted to receive between them the trolley-wires, and means for securing the said wires in position.

2. In a trolley-switch a supporting-plate, a series of rails formed integral with the underheath face of the said plate,aportion ofthe said rails being suitably grooved to receive the current-wires, a switch-tongue pivotally connected to one of said rails, a pair of guides formed integral on the upper face of said plate, and means whereby the said wires are secured in the desired position.

3. In a trolley-switch, a supporting-plate, a pair of guides formed integral with the upper face of said plate adapted to have the trolleywires pass between the same, a wedge-shaped fastening-block for securing the wire in position between said guides, a series of rails formed integral with the underneath face of said plate and having a portion of their upper face suitably grooved to receive the currentwires, and a switch-tongue secured to one of said rails, substantially as shown and described.

4. In a trolley-switch, a supporting-plate, a pair of guides formed integral with the upper face of said plate and suitably spaced apart, and adapted to have the trolley-wires pass between the same, a wedge-shaped fasteningblock. operating between said guides and adapted to secure the trolley-wires in position, a series of rails formed integral with the underneath face of the said plate having a portion of their upper edge grooved to receive the trolley-wires, a switch-tongue pivotally secured to one of said rails, and suitable means to limit the movement of the said switchtongue, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ALEXANDER F. HUMPHREY.

Vitnesses:

JOHN NOLAND, H. H. PATTERSON. 

